Police were desperate to make amends for their defensive lapse early in the game and put UP-Tuks 1 under pressure as they sought to penetrate their defensive line. UP-Tuks 1 were then reduced to 14 men after Pieter Griesel was given a red card for a high tackle. Police converted the ensuing penalty but were not able to capitalise on the one-man advantage and lost possession often through poorly executed box kicks. However, Police were awarded a penalty after one of the UP-Tuks 1 players was penalised for a late tackle. The fly-half was unsuccessful in his attempt at goal.
Police tried to unsettle the opposition’s attack by slowing the ball down but were penalised after their blindside flank tried contesting at the breakdown while being off his feet. Tuks fly-half Clinton Swart converted the penalty from 30 metres out to bring the score to 8-3 in favour of UP-Tuks 1.
UP-Tuks 1 exposed Police’s back three for their poor positioning on a number of occasions and late in the first half they were forced into touch near their try line after a good kick from UP-Tuks 1. UP-Tuks 1 then set up another superb rolling maul as they drove towards the line. Tobias scored his second try of the game on the stroke of half time as a result of his side’s dominant maul. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful as UP-Tuks 1 led 13-3 at half time.
The game started to open up in the second half and was played at a frenetic pace. UP-Tuks 1 used their lineout drive to good effect as they set up another one, this time on Police’s five-metre line. Swart barged his way over the line, got up and converted his own try. Later, Hugo spotted some space behind Police’s defensive line again and was able to kick an almost perfect torpedo, with Police finding themselves defending near their line again.
UP-Tuks 1’s ball retention on the day was immaculate and they were rewarded for their patience when they just sucked in too many defenders and right-wing Theuns Kruger was left one on one with a lock, beating him easily to score in what was a good team try. The conversion was unsuccessful.
Police hit back immediately with a try in the right-hand corner after they strung a few phases together close to UP-Tuks 1’s tryline. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
Police contested aggressively at the breakdown but were penalised for not releasing the ball carrier. Swart made no mistake in converting the penalty as UP-Tuks 1 now had an unassailable 28-13 lead with only six minutes left of the game.
Police threw everything at UP-Tuks 1 and found themselves five metres from the try line. However, their impatience saw them forcing a pass and subsequently knocking the ball on. Andries Kruger collected the ball and ran the length of the field, outsprinting the cover defence en route to the try line to dot down under the poles in what was a great individual try. Swart added the extras before the end of the game.
UP-Tuks 1 will be happy with how they have performed in the Carlton Cup this year after having lost only one game during the whole campaign.
